Hi.
I have recently bought a 2010 SC Nomad with Fox DHX 5.0 air shock. While I love the way the bike rides I'm not convinced that I'm getting the best out of the rear suspension. I've had a scout around the net and looked on the SC website for recommended air pressures, etc., and systematically tried different settings but it just doesn't feel that plush and perhaps is a bit 'boggy' in the mid-travel.
I weigh 175 lbs/80 kgs. The decal on the shock indicates that it has a 3 (out of 3) for compression damping and a 2 for rebound.
I've removed the shock and all the bearings feel fine in the rear end. Is it worth sending the shock away for a service? I don't want to waste cash if it's just gonna come back the same! Any set up suggestions or insight into this would be much appreciated.
Cheers
More air in the piggyback?
Bad news - it basically can't be done, read the mtbr forums and you will realise you need a coil shock. My rp23 is ok but nothing to write home about. Dhx air has always sucked with nomads, particularly the mid stroke.
I have a DHX air on my mk2 Nomad and unlike most people I prefer it to the rp23 the frame came with.
I also weigh 80kg, but I'm not sure about the compression and rebound tuning on mine without looking at it.
But I can tell you I run around 240psi in the main chamber, the bottom out resistance wound all the way out and around 130-150psi in the boost valve.
If you find it is still wallowing around for you then try adding more pressure to the boost valve. But I would definitely recommend screwing the bottom out all the way out before setting the boost valve pressure up and then readjusting everything if you find you are bottoming out and need more bottom out resistance.
Thanks for the replies.
Yeah, I was afraid people might just say 'buy a new shock'.....I have read that the DHX air isn't great on the Nomad2. I do find it strange that it's a £250 upgrade over a RP23 if you buy the frame new! Does anyone have any suggestions for a coil-over upgrade that they know works well on the bike? Although it would be nice to keep the weight down I'd be happy to sacrifice that for a sweet rear end!? Nevermind.
In the meantime I'll persist in trying different settings. Mark78; I'll try going for the higher pressure in the main chamber....don't think I've tried it that high. Had it out last night on some fairly meaty trails/dh with about 160 psi in the main chamber and 190 psi in the boost (first time with this configuration). Felt supple but still didn't feel like 160 mm worth of rear end travel, perhaps caus there was too much sag?
More insight/opinions welcomed.
DHX-5 Coil TFTune was wesome on mine, check out ebay or clasifieds for a good 2nd hand one then get it serviced by Loco or TFTune for the Nomad your weight etc... 216mm I to I 63mm stroke if I remember 😀
Having a Mk2 Nomad that came with one on it, my suggestion for an upgrade is anything other than the DHX. They suck on the Nomad & are a real pig to set up properly.
The Mk2 lends itself better to an air shock than a coil, due to the suspension characteristics. You can buy a different link which alters the curve to work better with a coil shock if that's a road you want to go down.
I would suggest an eye out for an RP23 or Monarch, as new as possible as an upgrade & sell the DHX. You will probably come out of it with very little actual outlay to be fair as it's a fairly common size. They tend to work well with a little more sag than you would normally run too.
I got a Heckler with DSP Dueller (LOCO sells them) off the classifieds, brilliant shock & very impressed with it. Could get a new one with Ti spring tuned for your bike for £300odd.
CCDB - very sweet on a nomad if set up properly...